ZAMPOÑA (ANDEAN PAN FLUTE) – INDIVIDUAL COURSES AND WORKSHOP

FEEL THE MAGIC OF ANDEAN FOLKLORE

The zampoña is one of the most popular instruments in South America, and it´s very easy to learn to play it.

Enjoy interpreting unforgettable songs, such as El Cóndor Pasa, Camino de llamas, Canción y Huayno, and lots more. We´ll adapt the program according to your musical experience and interests.

You´ll start to play your favorite song from the first lesson!

As its origins date back to pre-Colombian times, the contemporaneous zampoña, adapted to the academic musical system, comes in two versions: The diatonic and chromatic. Which one of these zampoñas is the most recommendable one to play? It all depends on the flute player and the style of music he/she wants to play.

The zampoña´s magic and fascination are in the syncretism between the academic and traditional musical systems, in their organology and execution technique.

PANORAMA OF THE THEMATIC CONTENT:

The Sinp´ay or braid – the musical interrelation technique.

What types of sounds is it possible to obtain from the zampoña?

Different articulations, musical adornments and types of vibratos: Exercises and studies.

Use of the chromatic zampoña in the contemporaneous popular music.

In general, popular songs are simple: How can we make them sound more complex and rich? We´ll learn the different forms of variations and their tricks.

Introduction to the stylistic forms per regions and time periods.

Listen Zampoña

Malta

Fiesta, fiesta by Luz del ande

Jueves de otoño by Latinoamérica

Susurro by Perumanta

Pampa lirimac by Qampy

Basto

Hombres y pueblos by Savia Andina

Toyo

Atacameñosby Tarpuy

The Family of Zampoña in Detail

THE DIATONIC ZAMPOÑA

The zampoña is composed of two rows of pipes; Arka and Ira.

In general, the materials used in its making are bamboo canes from tropical areas. The varieties we present here are the standardized ones, within the Andes´ urban music.

The most common tuning, used by the musicians, is G and this is, for all sizes. The denominations for each size we use here, are the ones mostly used in musical scenes, as the variations can be given, according to the geographical environment, language, time period or even, to the musical groups.

The same thing goes with the sizes that can have very slight variations.

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Malta

The malta is the predominant instrument in the Andean urban folklore and its average size is of 28.50 cm. for the largest pipe. Commonly, the Arka is made of 7 pipes and the Ira, of 6 (Maltaof 6, 7). However, among musicians, it also is frequent to see maltas of 8 and 7 or 9 and 8 pipes.

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Basto

It is an excellent complement to the malta and the size of a 6,7 basto, is of about 58 cm. in average. For the rest, the tuning and distribution of the notes of the scale obey to the same principle than that of the malta. In general, its intervention is done giving the octave and counterpoint to the other wind instruments or as a background to a voice.

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CHILI

The chili is the smallest of the family and its use, in popular groups, is sporadic. Sometimes, it is played as a solo, in some part of a song or simultaneously, with other instruments and especially, with wind instruments. Its average size is of 14 cm.

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TOYO

The toyo is the largest instrument in the pan flute family and its size can reach 1.35 m. In general, it is used as a soloist instrument, played by two musicians. In the region of Puno and Bolivia, there are traditional style ensembles, with a minimum of 12 members, composed of percussions and toyos.

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THE CHROMATIC ZAMPOÑA

The chromatic zampoña is an extension of the diatonic pan flute previously described.

It has the twelve half tones which give it the equivalence to any modern universal instrument.

Regarding the rows of pipes, the zampoña we use is of two rows. However, there also are other versions. As far as the size is concerned, in general, the medium size chromatic zampoña already is a combination of malta and chili.